The coordination project to improve the business conditions of social enterprises brings together the actors in social entrepreneurship and within the social economy. The project supports the implementation of the national strategy for social enterprises and the EU Social Economy Action Plan in Finland. The aim is to promote a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable society.
Goals
- Increased awareness of social entrepreneurship and the social economy.
- Improved evaluation and impact assessment capacity of social economy models.
- Promotion of social innovations.
- Support for regional and local ecosystems.
- Promotion of employment for people with partial work ability and others in a disadvantaged position in the labour market.
- Increased national and international networking, particularly the transfer of EU-related information to Finland.
- Collection and production of knowledge related to social enterprises.
Implementation
The coordination project promotes awareness of the social economy and social entrepreneurship. It disseminates information, provides guidance and organises events. Regional staff support the emergence of new social economy projects across Finland.
The project will produce Finland’s first handbook on social innovations. In addition, the effectiveness of employment models for people in a vulnerable position in the labour market will be assessed. The project generates internationally comparable knowledge on social enterprise activity and strengthens research in the field. The usability of knowledge to support decision-making and development work will be improved.
A national implementation plan for the EU Social Economy Action Plan will be prepared and the national strategy for social enterprises will be updated. The project participates in international networks within the social economy and disseminates Finnish knowledge to other parts of Europe.
Funding
European Social Fund (ESF+)
The total budget of the project is 12 167 957 euros, of which 10 588 811 euros is funded by the European Union. Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare's (THL) share of the total budget is 545 349 euros, of which 436 279 euros is funded by the European Union.
Partners
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki Metropolitan Area Reuse Centre, Live Foundation, LUT University, Pellervo Coop Center, Rehabilitation Foundation, Silta-Valmennusyhdistys, The Finnish Association of Social Enterprises ARVO, Valo-Valmennusyhdistys, Vates Foundation
Contact details
Updated: